Apricot tree NJA54

ABSTRACT

A new apricot tree cultivar producing early maturing fruit of very good dessert and canning qualities.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of apricot tree,developed near Cream Ridge, N.J., as part of an extensive program todevelop improved apricot trees having early maturing fruit of excellentdessert and canning quality.

The cultivar of this inventiton is a seedling whose parentage is known,and was selected from a block planted near Cream Ridge, N.J., in acultivated area of other trees whose breeding records are also kept.

The new cultivar which I have chosen to designate as NJA54, was producedby crossing a seedling known as NJA2, being the seed parent, and anotherselection, RR17-62, being the pollen parent.

I have found during continued growth of the trees of this cultivar, thatit produces a vigorous, upright tree with fruit of excellent dessert andcanning quality.

The tree flowers at about the same time as the cultivar known as"Harcot" (unpatented), and the apricot fruit produced has excellentquality with a firm texture.

During the course of the several years of observing the growth it isnoted that I have caused the selection to be asexually propagated bygrafting on peach rootstocks at Cream Ridge, N.J.

The selected tree was of grafted material which has maintained thedesired characteristics after propagation in successive generations.

In support of the disclosure herein, the drawing included,

in FIG. 1, shows a typical example of a young tree of the new cultivarillustrating the growth habit.

FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the apricot produced, disclosing thecolor, globose, slightly compressed shape, fresh color, and blush withthe skin color, as well as typical examples of the seeds and leaves,disclosing their color and shape.

In describing the tree and fruit in particular detail, reference is hadto the Horticultural Color Chart issued by the British Color Council incollaborattion with The Royal Horticultural Society. Color was alsomeasured in terms of its color space coordinates (L*a*b) with a MinoltaCR-300 Croma Meter calibrated with a white calibration plate. Thephotographs forming the drawing herein are as nearly like the actualfruit and tree as it is possible to make the same in a colorreproduction of this kind.

Turning to the details of this new cultivar, we note that the followingis a detailed description embodying the primary distinctivecharacteristics and identifying means by which the tree is recognizedand the fruit produced is described.

FRUIT

Shape: Globose, slightly compressed.

Average size: Axial diameter 4.1 cm (1.6 inches); transverse diameter insuture plane 4.2 cm (1.65 inches); transverse diameter at right anglesto suture plane 3.9 cm (1.5 inches).

Average mass: 42 g

Skin color: Undercolor is orpiment orange to nasturium orange Plates 25ato 25b (L=59.47 a=+20.21 b=+52.09. Overcolor is orange-red (L=42.25;a=+35.93; b=29.82). The red blush over the surface of the fruit varieswith extent of direct exposure to sun light and may vary from 0 to 40percent with an average of about 20 percent.

Pubescence: Very slight.

Suture: Very shallow extending from base to apex; slightly morepronounced at stem end.

Base: Retuse.

Apex: Rounded to slightly depressed, pistil point slightly depressed.

Cavity: Elongated; average width 1.24 cm (0.5 inches at right angle tosuture plane; average width 2.04 (0.80 inches) in suture plane; averagelength 2.53 cm (1 inch).

Maturity: Ripens approximately 1 week prior to the cultivar "Harcot"when grown at Cream Ridge, N.J., usually according to data at CreamRidge from June 9 to as late as July 3. Fruit ripens uniformly on thetree, developing ripe color about one week before dropping.

Use: Early maturing, excellent quality, dessert and canning apricot.

FLESH

Thickness: Medium.

Color: Tangerine orange Plant 24a to 24b.

Texture: Fine nearly non-melting.

Firmness: Very firm, moderately juicy.

Eating quality: Excellent; very sweet and aromatic.

Flavor: Fruit is moderately acidic, balanced by sweetness. Sweeter thanmost apricot cultivars, with strong apricot flavor and aroma. Quitejuicy.

Quality: Maintained in cold storage for about three weeks and cannot bestored on the tree.

STONE

Type: Freestone.

Shape: Ovid.

Size: Small to medium. Average length 2.5 cm (1.0 inches); average width1.9 cm (0.75 inches).

Ridges: Slight ridges extending along both sides of the suture plane.

Tendency to split: None.

Surface: Irregular, slightly pitted.

Color: Cinnamon Plate 16c (L=52.72; a=+10.11; b=+27.65).

TREE

Size: Medium.

Bark color (2 inch diameter limb): 178c to 178b.

Bark texture (2 inch diameter limb): Moderately smooth with prominentlenticels.

Vigor: Moderately vigorous.

Growth: Upright.

Production: Productive, but susceptible to spring frost damage.

Bearer: Regular.

LEAVES

Average size: Length 7.8 cm (3.1 inches); width 7.4 cm (2.9 inches).

Form: Ovate, abruptly acuminate, obtuse at base.

Thickness: Medium.

Margin: Serrate.

Color: Adaxial surface green Plat 137a to 137b (L=38.41; a=-13.43;b=+18.31); abaxial surface yellow-green Plate 147c to 147b (L=47.43;a=-13.13; b=+19.92).

FLOWERS

Mature:

Flower width.--Variable: 0.79-0.89 inches.

Petal width.--0.34 inches.

Petal length.--0.45 inches.

Anther number.--Variable; typically 25, 30, or even 35.

Anther length.--Variable; 0.24-0.38 inches.

Pistil length.--Variable; 0.34-0.41 inches.

Petiole.--Average length 3.5 cm (1.4 inches); average thickness 0.16 cm(0.0625 inches).

Glands.--Form globose; average number 3.7; variable in number primarilyfound on petiole.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct apricot tree cultivar, substantially asherein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty bythe moderately vigorous, upright growth habit of the tree, on peachrootstock, excellent dessert and canning quality of the fruit whichmatures early, and is globose, slightly compressed in shape.